STOP CALLING THEM MAGA REPUBLICANS THEY ARE “AINOS” (I-KNOWS) AMERICANS IN NAME ONLY

Trump has a penchant for name calling, and a name reserved for Republicans who won’t kiss his…ring, is RINO, Republicans in Name Only.

Trump’s pet name for Republicans inspires a name for his supporters---AINOS, Americans in Name Only.

The phrase is certainly more apt than calling Trump supporters “Make America Great Again” Republicans because that characterization imputes an undeserved motivation—to Make America Great.

First, by any of a number of measures, America has been great from its inception and continues to be great.  We don’t need a draft-dodging, self-proclaimed patriot clamoring for a greatness America already enjoys.

Second, the AINOS don’t want to Make America Great.  They want to remake America into Trump’s (and their) images. 

What images?  You name a “phobe” or an “ist” and Trump and his AINOS are it.  Xenophobes, homophobes, negrophobes, (yes, that’s a thing, google it!) Mexiphobes (ok that’s not normally a thing, but Trump and his AINOS have made it a thing) narcissists, nihilists, insurrectionists, sexists, misogynists, racists, ad nauseam.

Yes, Trump and his AINOS want an America that looks like them in all their “phobe” and “ist” glory, which makes AINOS a fitting description.

The American Ideal reflects democratic principles of justice, integrity, honesty, generosity and compassion…kindness of the soul and spirit.  Who among you would use these adjectives to describe Trump and his AINOS?  Trump Republicans, and his AINOS, have become walking caricatures of dishonesty, self-interest, selfishness and mean spiritedness.

To end on a historical note. 

History books are being written as we speak.  Presidential historians have already spoken.  Trump 2020 is the choice for America’s worst president.  The only question to be answered in the next poll is whether Trump 2024, if elected, will be the consensus worst president, or the second worst president in history, behind 2020 Trump.

Trump’s AINOS will also be judged by historians.  They will be remembered as the “Know-Nothings” of the 21st Century, with some remarkably shared characteristics with the nativist “American Party”, also known as the Know-Nothings, of 19th century politics.

At best, AINOS will be branded as a band of enablers in a dark chapter of American politics who were all too eager to look the other way when the actions of their chosen leader trampled on American ideals of democracy, justice, liberty and compassion.

Instead of wearing MAGA hats or T-shirts, AINOS can wear garb with a scarlet letter “A,” for AINOS.  They may proudly flaunt their scarlet “A,” but the benefit to all non-AINOS is that we can give a wide berth to those scarlet-letter-wearing AINOS we may encounter.

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